Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kanté, Georginio Wijnaldum, Ben Chilwell… The favorites of the 2022 World Cup will be deprived of a few stars in Qatar, forced into a package. Other players, uncertain, worry their coaches before the announcement of the lists this week.
Germany
Timo Werner was expected to be Germany’s centre-forward but a left ankle injury will sideline him until the end of the calendar year.
Absent for four weeks in goal for Bayern Munich, Manuel Neuer (shoulder) returned on Saturday, like Leroy Sané after a muscle tear. On the other hand, Thomas Müller has only played snatches of matches since the end of September due to recurring hip and pelvis problems.
Finally, in the defensive sector, Antonio Rüdiger, embarrassed with a hip according to the press, should not play the last two matches of Real Madrid.
England
In England, the injured are concentrated in the defensive sector.
On Saturday, Ben Chilwell was the first to definitively throw in the towel after a scan of his hamstrings, while his teammate Reece James, even if he will not play again before the announcement of the selection on November 10, still hopes be on the list.
Substantially in the same position, Kyle Walker could be handed over in time, just like his Manchester City teammate, Kalvin Phillips.
Argentina
“The inflammation of the Achilles tendon” which affects Lionel Messi has undoubtedly made Albiceleste fans shiver. But the Pulga is expected for the next match of Paris SG.
Central defender Christian Romero (muscular injury) will not play again with Tottenham before the World Cup but should be able to hold his place in selection, like Angel Di Maria, back with Juventus.
Paulo Dybala has been out since his injury on October 9, but it cannot be ruled out that he will be in AS Roma’s squad on Sunday.
It seems more complicated for Giovani Lo Celso: the Villarreal winger left injured on October 30, complaining of a thigh. The best scenario would be a return to the eighth.
Belgium
Belgium is worried about its striker Romelu Lukaku: the Inter striker is experiencing a relapse to a thigh injury and is being treated in Belgium. Some media announce package for Belgium-Canada on November 23.
Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), injured knee, may not recover in time.
Thomas Meunier (Borussia Dortmund), victim of a fractured cheekbone, missed five matches but remains hopeful of being there.
Brazil
Striker Richarlison, injured in the calf, should resume collective training in the coming days with Tottenham, Brazilian media have said. His compatriot Lucas Paqueta has just returned to the field with West Ham, like Gleison Bremer with Juve.
– Spain –
Spain is spared: only Eric Garcia (muscular discomfort) and Mikel Oyarzabal, back in training after a long knee injury, are fragile. But they apply.
France
2018 World Champions, Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté have withdrawn.
Coach Didier Deschamps scrutinizes with concern the recovery of two important defenders: Raphaël Varane (thigh) and Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles tendon).
The first will not play again, a priori, with Manchester United before the World Cup. The second, on the other hand, is hoped for with PSG on Sunday.
Other players remain fragile: Jules Koundé (muscle discomfort in one thigh) and Karim Benzema, absent on Monday.
Mike Maignan is uncertain (calf) like Lucas Digne, who came out injured on Sunday with Aston Villa.
Netherlands
Georginio Wijnaldum, victim of a broken tibia, withdrew. But the Netherlands are generally spared: Martin De Roon (thigh) returned to competition this weekend, and Matthijs de Ligt (knee) should be back on Saturday with Bayern.
Portugal
Pepe, 39, has been sidelined since early October. “A nasty injury”, according to his coach in Porto Sergio Conceiçao, pessimistic about his chances of selection.
Striker Diogo Jota is already forfeited: “We are talking in months”, explained Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp after his calf injury in mid-October.
Goalkeeper Pedro Neto and defender Ricardo Pereira also forfeited.
Son, Davies, Vlahovic…
Victim of an “orbital fracture”, the South Korean Heung-min Son fears the worst, but the door remains open to Qatar.
Senegal will have to do without Bouna Sarr (knee), Denmark are not sure of recovering Andreas Christensen (ankle).
Canada, for its part, is worried about Alphonso Davies (thigh), but his club assured that his World Cup was “not in danger”.
Serbian Juve star Dusan Vlahovic, victim of pubalgia, is hoped for this week.
Finally, Uruguay fears an absence of Edinson Cavani, injured in an ankle but who should return in time. Ronald Araujo (Barcelona), seriously injured at the end of September in a thigh, is currently in negotiations to join his selection despite everything.